18/10/2017  Happy Valley  Race 2

CHEERFULJET shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in CLEAR CHOICE, GREAT JOY and PADDINGTON all being crowded for room inside STARLIT KNIGHT which also became unbalanced after being bumped by PADDINGTON. After this, CLEAR CHOICE, GREAT JOY, PADDINGTON and STARLIT KNIGHT were all shifted across behind runners. LONDON MASTER shifted out at the start and hampered MR KOOL. Shortly after the start, FOREVER POSH and MAGICAL CHAMPION bumped. Making the first turn approaching the 1050 Metres, PADDINGTON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CLEAR CHOICE which got its head on the side and shifted out marginally. Near the 650 Metres, PADDINGTON was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, MAGICAL CHAMPION raced in restricted room inside CLEAR CHOICE (T Berry) which got its head on the side and shifted in. T Berry was advised in similar circumstances to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. GREAT JOY, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of MAGICAL CHAMPION in consequence. After the 150 Metres, CHEERFULJET commenced to shift in towards the running of BEAUTY CONNECTION, resulting in B Prebble, the rider of CHEERFULJET, straightening his mount. Passing the 100 Metres, CLEAR CHOICE was directed out from behind FOREVER POSH which shifted out under pressure. When questioned regarding his riding of GREAT JOY in the Home Straight, Apprentice M F Poon stated that rounding the Home Turn and at the entrance to the Straight he had been following MR KOOL. He said shortly after entering the Straight there were runs available both to the inside and outside of MR KOOL and given tonight’s race was conducted on the C course, he felt that there was more opportunity for clear running to the inside due to horses fanning out in the early part of the Straight. He said he was aware that WORLD CITY was racing in advance of MR KOOL, but he considered that horse to be a number of lengths in front of MR KOOL, so he felt the best option for GREAT JOY was to shift to the inside of that horse and approaching the 250 Metres he shifted GREAT JOY to the inside of MR KOOL. He said when he did this WORLD CITY commenced to come under pressure and he had to shift in away from behind that horse near the 200 Metres, however, he was able to do so without having to check GREAT JOY or impede the horse’s momentum. He added GREAT JOY was finishing off the race strongly, however, he was reluctant to use the whip on the horse as BEAUTY CONNECTION and CHEERFULJET were racing in advance of GREAT JOY and, in his opinion, whilst a tight run existed between those horses, he chose not to use the whip on the horse in case either of those horses shifted ground. He said when it became apparent to him that CHEERFULJET was shifting out, he then rode his mount aggressively to improve between BEAUTY CONNECTION and CHEERFULJET and GREAT JOY then finished off the race strongly. Trainer D J Hall stated he believed that GREAT JOY’s best chances of being successful in tonight’s race were for the horse to receive uninterrupted running given that it was racing over 1200 Metres and had previously shown to be more effective in distances longer than that of tonight’s race. He said after viewing the film he believed that the option of shifting either side of MR KOOL was available to Apprentice Poon in the early part of the Straight and given the rail placement tonight, he was satisfied with Apprentice Poon’s decision to shift GREAT JOY to the inside of MR KOOL rather than exploring runs to the outside of that horse. Apprentice Poon was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he was reminded of his obligation to ensure that, wherever possible, horses are afforded clear and uninterrupted running so that they are able to be properly tested. A veterinary inspection of GREAT JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHEERFULJET, LONDON MASTER and BEAUTY CONNECTION were sent for sampling.